anthology

by

Spotlight on Hot Duke Summer

Welcome to a rollicking summer in Regency England, where the weather is warm, the ladies warmer, and the dukes sizzling-hot!

https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Duke-Summer-Historical-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0CZYVZS4L/

It’s the scorching tales of a Hot Duke Summer Regency Anthology!

For lovers of historical romance, lose yourself in this collection of never before published Regency stories. From gambling halls to ballrooms, you’ll enjoy a cast of unforgettable characters from tales inspired from some of your favorite summer movies. A Regency Gidget? Yes, please! Or the hottest duke in London with a penchant for a fancy conveyance? Absolutely!

It’s glamour, passion, and adventure in one magical summer in Regency England, so join the hottest dukes for the hottest summer around!

The Duchess Bride, by Scarlett Scott

After the death of her true love the Duke of Westley, Lady Celandine Raynell has been left with no choice but to marry the odious Earl of Humberton to protect her family from ruin. On her wedding day, she’s kidnapped by a dashing, masked stranger whose eyes seem hauntingly familiar. Celandine is drawn to her captor and increasingly convinced he is her Westley. But is he? Or has she been spirited away by a villain determined to obtain a ransom from her wealthy fiance.

Dilemma Over a Duke, by Alexa Aston

Lady Evangeline Eastfield has never found a man to replace Hatch, the Duke of Wentworth, in her heart. But he has not been home in six years and has never even replied to her letters. Evie decides to marry for friendship and children, and becomes betrothed to Hatch’s brother. But Hatch has come home, and he is determined to court Evie and win her for his duchess and his love.

The Duke’s Day Off, by Annabelle Anders

Bound by propriety and the expectations of his family, Society and himself, the Duke of Ferris works hard. All the time. As, he cannot help but notice, does Miss Evalina Sparrow, his mother’s companion. He really cannot help but notice his mother’s companion. When he discovers that she is in the habit of taking a day for herself now and then, she invites him to go with her. Ferris is tempted–and to far more than a simple day off. Sometimes, what everyone needs is a day off.

The Moonstone Mermaid, by Meara Platt

In Moonstone Landing, Verity Angel (cousin to Cara, Brenna, and Felicity) who meets her true love, James Pennington, Duke of Ashford under rather awkward circumstances – talk about baring one’s soul – and other juicy body parts! James accidentally gets an eyeful of Verity when he catches her swimming in a secluded glade. From that moment on, he is determined to know her better, and every encounter convinces him that he cannot live without her.

Say Anything, Duke, by Kathleen Ayers

Parthena Holm is the horror of any hostess. Parthena has a propensity to get herself into all sorts of trouble which she does at a house party where she’s been asked to play her violin. She meets the young, reclusive Duke of Wexham who is about to propose to another young lady… until Hurricane Parthena arrives. Parthena does her best to remain invisible, but Wexham is determined to find her.

I Know This Much is True, by Chasity Bowlin

When Caroline Davies makes a sketch of Antony Bancroft, the Duke of Avingden, it was meant to be a private matter between her and her cousin. She certainly did not intend the sketch to fall into the hands of the duke himself. She had drawn him naked, after all, as well as she could since it was all from her imagination. Miss Davies had already caught Andrew’s attention. The sketch suggest that the lady is as interested in him as he is in her. He must find out!

Love is the Duke’s Best Remedy, by Sara Adrien

Edmund Brandon, The Duke of Northumberland, is informed that he must have a wife, or at least a fiancee, to convince the Lord Chancellor to approve the plans he wishes to present to Parliament. On an impulse, he hires a flower girl who does him a favour to masquerade as his betrothed for a week. He doesn’t intend to fall in love with her.

The Worth of an Earl, by Jude Knight

Jen, a waif from the slums, rescues a wealthy lady from kidnappers. Despite the objections of her grandson, the Earl of Frome, Lady Eloise insists on taking Jen to London. Against his will, Frome falls in love with Jen. Just when he is ready to throw his reputation away for the sake of love, he uncovers a secret that changes everything.
by

Spotlight on “Concerto” in Desperate Daughters

Concerto: By Mary Lancaster

At the age of seven and twenty, Lady Barbara has long accepted her position on the shelf. She is thrilled to put aside her music-teaching in order to help her beautiful young sisters find eligible husbands.

But then, a chance encounter with an unconventional and mysterious young piano tuner has her heart in a spin. When she encounters him again at a York assembly, playing the violin, it seems he has too many names. Can she trust such a man with the family secrets, let alone with her heart? And can she save him from the lethal threat hanging over him?

And 8 other great stories.

Excerpt

Oddly, Barbara was conscious of a desire not to return to York. To let her sisters go on without her, just for a few days. But even if Jack wished it, she could not stay here.

So, after tea they said goodbye to Mrs. Weeks. Jack even hugged the housekeeper, which made her cry, and then they walked around to the stables.

“What did you think?” Jack asked casually on the way.

“I think it is a beautiful house which you can make your own. I think you can make it ring with music and fun, and compose to your heart’s content. In between seeing to the land and your tenants. You could have the music and Allbury Court.”

“That is what I have begun to think.” He paused, catching her arm and turning her to face him in the shade of a spreading chestnut tree. A smile played on his lips. With his free hand he tucked a stray strand of hair beneath her bonnet, and brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “Thank you.”

“For what? Telling you what you already know?”

“For making me see what I already know,” he corrected. “Barbara?”

“Yes?”

The smile flared and died again. “Nothing. Just this.”

He bent his head and her heart seemed to lurch downward into her suddenly tingling stomach. She could have avoided it, but the truth was, in that moment, she wanted his kiss more than anything in the world.

His lips paused above hers, giving her time to object, perhaps, or maybe just drawing out the anticipation. She parted her lips, raising them to his, and he smiled as he kissed her. A firm, yet tender kiss, slow, exploratory, tasting.

He raised his head, searching her face. “Again?” he whispered.

For answer, she cupped his cheek and took back his mouth and with this longer, deeper kiss, she was lost.

See the project page at the Bluestocking Belles’ website for more information.

Desperate Daughters is on preorder for publication on 17 May. Order now to get the preorder price of 99c

by

Family occasions on WIP Wednesday

I like stories where you get the sense you’ve moved into the middle of an existing life. All the ordinary things might be carrying on, or some big crisis might have shifted our hero and heroine out of their usual preoccupations, but somewhere in the background is normal.

Part of normal life are the things we do regularly with our friends and family. Sunday dinner. Tuesday chess night. Thanksgiving. We do something once, enjoy it, do it again, and before we quite mean it, it has become a habit, or even a tradition.

And such interactions enrich fiction. Four old school friends always meet in London on the first day of March. Mama kisses her children, and later her grandchildren, and always says ‘Love you forever’.  Two cousins, separated by years and distance, go to their old fishing hole to become reacquainted. The echoes through time add depth.

In this week’s WIP Wednesday, pick any type of repeated interaction you like: a joke, an activity, an event, a ceremony, a habit. Post it in the comments, as usual, and I’ll post mine below.

It’s from my new contemporary novella for Author’s on Main Street, A Family for Christmas. My heroine hasn’t seen her husband since their wedding day, eight and a half months ago.  She has been out with her in-laws, cutting and bringing home a Christmas tree from the farm’s hilltop.

After a cup of tea back at the house, they wrestled the Christmas tree into a bucket of damp sand, sitting ready in the corner of the big sitting room. Cheryl shifted the bucket a half circle and then back a quarter until Lee and Old Trev agreed that the young pine looked even on all sides. It was full and bushy, with branches arching upwards and one grand leader almost scraping the plaster ceiling ten foot above the floor.

“You young ones finish it off,” Old Trev commanded. “I’m going to take a bit of a sit down.”

He wandered off to the screened end of the verandah, where a comfortable recliner chair waited. Not to sleep, he would have told them, but to check out the back of his eyelids, as he did every afternoon.

Cheryl fetched a short wooden stepladder, and Lee carried over the first of the boxes of decorations. They all had stories, Cheryl told her, and each member of the family added at least one new one a year. Old Trev whittled his. He carved one a year, delicate wooden snowflakes all in different woods, oiled and waxed till they shone.

Lee and Cheryl had purchased one each in Palmy at Lee’s most recent antenatal scan. Cheryl’s was a Santa on water skis, and Lee found a medallion of a Madonna and Child. She had bought the matching St Joseph to put up for Trevor, so he’d have a part of the tradition even if he wasn’t home in time, then hidden it for fear Cheryl would think Lee was putting herself, Trevor, and the baby into the centre of the Christmas story.

They were certainly no Holy Family, though Lee had been roped into the pageant planned for the Christmas Fair. Just a small part; being led across the stage on a donkey. With Cheryl’s acceptance, the whole community had embraced her as one of their own. Not like when she first arrived.